The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a transnational human trafficking operation in Akure, arresting six suspects and rescuing 14 victims in two separate incidents amid a growing wave of crime in the state capital.
The development comes as Akure continues to witness rising cases of kidnapping, ritual killings and other social vices, many of which often go unreported. Police authorities say the latest arrests highlight the scale of illegal activities operating within the city.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the first case was reported on January 22, 2026, when a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili, approached the Yaba Police Station in Ondo City. Yaoili disclosed that he was deceived into travelling from Togo to Nigeria with the promise of securing employment in Canada.
He alleged that one Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, who is currently on the run, lured him to Nigeria in 2019, confiscated his belongings and held him against his will after collecting 800,000 CFA francs. Acting on the report, the police arrested six suspects—Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinubi Adebayo and Oluwole Vincent, the landlord of the premises where the victims were housed. Three victims were rescued during the operation.
In a related development, the police also uncovered a case of illegal immigration on January 23, 2026, following a report by Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile, who initially suspected bandit activity. Investigations later revealed that Umaru Baba and 11 others were illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad.
Police said Baba posed as a representative of a company involved in online product marketing and recruited the victims as commission-based marketers. The victims were reportedly brought into Nigeria through the Cameroonian border under questionable circumstances. The owner of the building where they were accommodated—a female resident of Ibadan—is currently being traced for questioning.
DSP Jimoh confirmed that all suspects have made useful statements and that investigations are ongoing to arrest other fleeing accomplices. He added that the rescued victims would be handed over to their respective embassies for repatriation and further diplomatic action.
The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to curb human trafficking and other criminal activities threatening public safety in Akure.
